Destigmatisation within the HIV/AIDS pandemic : wowards a pastoral anthropology of embodiment

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of the thesis is on the HIV and AIDS-related stigma and stigmatisation of
people who try to live positively with HIV/AIDS within the pandemic. The basic
assumption is that there is interplay between the HIVAIDS-related stigma as a
cultural phenomenon and the negative perception of the human body. Since a
human being is created corporeal and re-created due to the fact that human
embodiment is a fundamental ingredient for the understanding of soul, It is argued
that in a pastoral approach, a person should be understood holistically. Anthropology
within the traditional kerygmatic approach focused mainly on the notion of sin
(corruption totalis) within the theological understanding of God’s judgement
(judgemental attitude). I have proposed that pastoral anthropology should adopt
constructive paradigms and point towards the integration of embodiment
(wholeness) in a realistic approach rather than emphasising the notion of sin and
forms of dualism. The thesis departs from an eschatological and pneumatological
view of the human being, in which the concepts of resurrection and hope are equally
crucial. I further argue that a Christian spiritual perspective on embodiment is
potentially destigmatising itself. In terms of a pastoral hermeneutic I have shown that
in destigmatisation the transformation of the HIV and AIDS-related stigma
corresponds to the transformation of the mindset and paradigm of a person
(habitus). Through the process of destigmatisation people discover meaning and are
enabled to live fully embodied and responsible lives.
The thesis is designed as a literature study based on text analysis and
hermeneutical reflection. Moreover, in order to develop a pastoral anthropological
view, the Scripture is used as a reference point.